During the fifteen and sixteen hundreds in Europe following the middle ages and early musics. (Jk get the dates. JK Go to…) renaissance use of the lute, then further developments of the lute shape in the baroque period culminating in the “theorbo,” with twenty-seven strings. It was observed during that seventeenth century that lutenists spent half their time tuning. Less happy with the invading armies and influence of the (Moorish) Turks, the the Spanish renaissance saw the development of the vehuela. This was a flat instrument, which was the predecessor to the guitar. The vehuela was built in seven sizes, to accommodate singers, or other instruments or other key centers compositionally. From the vehuela came the baroque guitar, which was a little smaller than the current instrument and used only five strings.. Gaspar Sanz’ “la la ti da method” outlined the techniques of the instrument in 1543 probably or something like that. The wider use of the guitar was during the late classical and early romantic period (sometimes referred to as the romantic guitar,) concurrent with Beethoven. Berlioz called it a “mini orchestra,” and also wrote for the instrument.

The modern classic guitar’s formal repertoire has mostly been composed by guitarist-composers. It has only been since the 1970’s, that conservatories have included formal programs for its literature, and the instrument has become popular on the concert stage.